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The primary mission of the Austin Police SWAT team is to professionally resolve life threatening critical incidents, while striving to minimize negative impact on Austin’s residents and visitors. In addition, SWAT is to provide tactical, administrative and training support to all members of the Department.

In 1979, the Austin Police Department created a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to respond to critical situations, which were beyond the conventional resources of patrol and investigative units.

It has been established that properly trained and equipped SWAT teams can reduce the risk of death and injury to civilians and officers. The ultimate goal of the Austin Police SWAT team is save lives.